What is Going on in Venezuela?

What caused the crisis? The answer depends on who you ask. Maduro and the his allies blame plots by business leaders in Venezuela and the United States, claiming they are trying to subvert the president and his government. Many outsider observers lay the blame on low oil prices and mismanagement of oil revenues by the government. But the real problem appears to be the left-wing political ideology chavismo (more on that below) which has crippled the economy and destroyed the rule of law. More…